Author’s Note: I wanted to get this out by Christmas, which means I didn’t have a change to push it though it’s usual, rigorous, copy editing process. Please forgive any gross misspellings and the noted lack of Chinese Phrases (********* indicates Chinese, I mean, to us it’s practically the same). I’ll fix it all later, if you like, after Christmas.

PROLOG:

“An what?” Mal asked. “Is this here?”

“It’s a Christmas tree!” Kaylee said excitedly. “Don’ cha just love it?! Can’t remember last time I saw anythin’ so green!”

“No,” Mal said tersely, starring at the little fur tree, which his crew had, unbeknownst to him, set up on the short table at the side of kitchen. It was barely three feet tall, and held up by some makeshift tree stand that looked like Kaylee’d welded it together. Book, Simon and Inara were all lounging in the chairs around the tree, they seemed to be twisting bits of wire to make a garland of sorts, River was sitting on the ground at her brothers feet, drawing intently. It was a heartwarming scene, of course, Mal didn’t really want his heart warmed, ever.

“An I can’t remember the last time I seen anything stickyer and more like ta catch fire on my ship.”

“Aw, Cap,” Kaylee said. “How kin ya say that? It’s Christmas time!”

“I can say it ‘cause it’s my ship an’ I don’ remember anyone askin’ me if it was Ok ta bring in a ***********”

“Captain,” Book scolded. “Don’t you have any Christmas spirit.”

“As it happens, no, I don’t. Don’ much care for the birth of a savior who never saved me from anything.”

“You don’t have to be religious to celebrate Christmas,” Inara said, glaring at Mal. “The holiday’s also about friends and family and . . .

“Greed and commercialism and the slaughtering of perfectly innocent pine trees,” Mal finished. “Why am I even standing here discussing this. Serenity’s my ship and . . .”

“Look Simon,” River said, holding her sketchbook up so her brother could see it. “I drew an angel.”

“River that’s beautiful,” Simon said, looking at the drawin